1800 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-181, B-1. Rarity-5. AU-55 (PCGS).
Uncommonly well preserved and attractive in a lightly circulated survivor of this challenging early dollar type. The surfaces exhibit an even overlay of soft sandy-silver patina, direct lighting causing the peripheries to light up with vivid iridescent toning in olive-russet and cobalt blue. Ideally centered and sharp, the strike has imparted full, even denticulation around both sides as well as bold to sharp detail to the design elements. Wispy handling marks are noted, but the in hand appearance is remarkably smooth in the absence of sizeable blemishes, and there is appreciable luster remaining to further enhance the eye appeal. A scarcer die marriage of the 1800 Draped Bust dollar, Q. David Bowers accounts for only 90 to 160 examples of BB-181 extant in the 2013 edition of his Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars: 1794-1803. The variety is easy to attribute by looking for a slight elevation (as made) in the obverse field inside star 1 and several prominent flaws (again, as struck) around star 11. This obverse die was used only in the BB-181 marriage. While we have been fortunate to have offered a number of these over the last 15 to 20 years, a quick glance at our archives will reveal that none were graded finer than EF-45. This variety is unknown in Mint State, in fact, and the finest examples known to both Bowers and Stephen J. Herrman (Winter 2022 APR for early silver dollars) grade AU-55. A newcomer to the modern numismatic market, the Millholland specimen is also tied for CC#1 for these dies. While it holds obvious appeal for specialists in early dollar varieties, this handsome and scarce coin would do equally well in an advanced type set. Sure to see spirited bidding.
PCGS# 6887. NGC ID: 24X9.
From the Collection of James Allaire Millholland, 1842-1911.

Estimate: $8500